Inner spring mattress



June 22, 1954 l M. J. RYMLAND 2,681,457

INNER SPRING MATTRESS Filed July 17, 1948 Shee-cs-Sheet l fif A 3. IN1/Emol; 53 MURRAY J. RYMLAND A TTORNE'Y June 22,` 1954 M RYMLAND 2,681,457

INNER SPRING MATTRESS Filed July 17, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Arron/Er June 22, 1954 M. J. RYMLAND INNER SPRING MATTRESS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 17, 1948 INVENTOR. MURRAY. J. RYMLA/vo BY-dzf/'/z/a/'-m,

\ ATTORNEY Patented June 22, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INNER SPRING MATTRESS Murray J. Rymland, Baltimore, Md. Application July 17, 1948, Serial No. 39,254

2 Claims. 1

This invention pertains to domestic furniture and more particularly to the construction of the coil spring assembly of an inner spring structure employed in a bed mattress.

The present invention relates to a coiled spring mattress particularly that of a mattress innerm spring assembly, in which the middle section of the mattress structure, normally given over to the support of the middle section of the human body, is composed of free or loose end coil springs, preferably of the open coil cylindrical type, encased in individual cloth or fabric pockets. The opposite end sections of the mattress spring assembly are normally given over to the support of the upper head and lower limb extremity portions of the human body, preferably from the shoulder blades up and from the knees down. These sections are composed of knotted end coil springs, preferably of the open coil double cone type. The knotted end coils of the adjacent coil springs are firmly tied together to form a rigidly braced structure across the mattress spring assembly.

This invention is adaptable for use in virtually all types of spring mattresses, including quilted top, tuftless, tufted prebuilt border, and roll edge.

The mattress spring assembly of the present invention further provides side border rows of knotted end coil springs, preferably of the open coil double cone type. They extend throughout the length of the spring assembly, along side the middle section of free end pocketed coils, as well as by the end sections of the knotted end coils. The assembly is therefore in three sections.

The end coils of the side and end border rows of both types of coil springs are lirmly tied together. They are bound together by a substantial border wire that passes around the three sections, giving a rigid and firm edge, bridging the upper and lower sections and spanning the side border of the middle section of free end coil springs.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved inner coil-spring mattress assembly that will avoid, one or more, of the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved inner coil-spring mattress assembly that will include a combined use of Marshall or pocketed springs with conventional knotted end coil mattress springs in its structure and so arranged as to provide an effective and enicient mattress construction, more flexible than other types of mattress and less expensive to produce.

Still another object of the invention, is to provide a new and improved inner coil spring mattress that will have its resiliency graduated to meet special requirements arising in use, so as to avoid undue and uncomfortable sagging at such locations as would be objectionable in the normal distribution of the weights of the users.

A further object and advantage oi the structure of the present invention is that its construction provides an inner spring mattress assembly composed of individually pocketed free end coil springs (of the Marshall type) in which the mattress formed from such an inner spring assembly of free end coil springs is substantially free from the pronounced effect of grooving or channeling, that otherwise obtains in the prior art use of mattresses formed from individually acting individually pocketed free end coil springs of the cylindrical type. The human body does not sink in a hollow and can easily turn and move about,

A still further object and advantage of the present invention is its provision of a prebuilt edge inner spring structure for mattresses from which a tutt-less, quilted or ilat top mattress may be formed with an inner spring structure composed of the more desirable individually pocketed free end coil springs, preferably of the cylindrical type.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a mattress structure having a section composed of free end coil springs having side borders joined to closed end springs of less yieldability and greater height than the free end coil springs to create a semi-pocket therein when under compression of a person lying on the mattress to prevent the person from sliding or rolling on? the mattress.

Other objects will become apparent as the invention is more fully set forth.

For a clearer understanding of the invention reference is made to the appended drawings, and the description following. These together outline a particular form of the invention, by way of example, and serve to illustrate the principles and the basis for the objects, while the scope of the invention is emphasized in the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a plan View of an inner spring mattress or assembly illustrating the preferred form of embodying this invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of a portion of the mattress shown in Figure l; taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged partial plan view of a 3 typical section of the nested free end coil springs, as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a partial top plan view illustrating another embodiment of the invention in an inner spring mattress assembly;

Figure 5 is an enlarged partial plan View oi a typical corner of the mattress spring assembly as shown in Figure l;

Figure 6 is an enlarged partial plan view showing border knotted end coils, and stabilizer attached to the side border wire, and a portion oi the pocketed free end coils in Figure 4.

Figure 7 is an enlarged section taken on line 'i-l of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is an enlarged elevation taken on line S--S of Figure 5;

Figure 9 is an enlarged section taken on line .Q -ii of Figure 4;

Figure i0 is a plan view of a modiied form of an inner spring mattress or assembly;

Figure 1l is a side elevation of Figure l0;

Figure 12 is an enlarged partial plan view showing means of interlacing the knotted end coils shown in Figure l0, and

Figure 13 is an enlarged section taken on the line i" 3 of Figure 1G.

VSimilar reference characters relate to the same parts throughout all the figures.

In the present invention, the middle section is made or" individually pocketed free end coils and preferably higher than the rest of the mattress. It has more convolutions and heavier gauge wire, it is bound at the side of the unit by the side border rows which are composed of a composite spring construction in which the knotted end coil springs thereof are bolstered by means of springs of the pocketed type. This reinforces the unit lengthwise along its sides and forms a cradle edge construction. This prevents the body of the user from slipping down over either side, it also lends a firm edge to both sides of the inished mattress. Although the middle section is described as being made of more conrolutions and of heavier gage wire, it should be E kept in mind that this is the portion normally receiving the body of the user and that its weight will be sufficient to compress this middle section to a level lower than the normal level of the cradle edge which does not, normally, receive the 7 body.

In a particular form of the invention the bolstering of the side border row of springs takes the form or individually pocketed free end coil springs of the cylindrical type nested in the V-like space between each two of the adjacent knotted end double cone coil springs, with a cloth web of the pocket material between eachv two adjacent pocketed coil springs. The web nts around the intermediate convolutions of the knotted end conical coil springs, as in Figure l.

Y In another particular form of the invention the bolstering of the side border row of springs takes the form of stabilizer springs disposed at spaced intervals alongside the middle section of individually pocketed free end coil springs, and connected at their upper and lower ends to the border binding.

The invention provides a `novel binding border construction for such novel composite mattress assembly of free end individually pocketed coils. This border imparts great rigidity and nonskewing properties to the unitary assembly when handled as aY unitary whole. To this end the border binding takes the iorm, in one embodi- Cdl ment of the invention, of a round wire encircled by a helical spring which also encircles the knotted end coils of the knotted coil springs at the border of the unit. See Figure 5. In another embodiment, the border binding takes the form of a nat wire on which the knotted end coils of the border rows are positioned and held thereto by hog rings. vIn the latter embodiment the flat border wire has its major axis horizontal and its minor axis vertical. rThis provides greater rigidity transversely of the mattress spring assembly and greater yieldability in the direction of compression of the coil springs.

In employing this latter feature of the flat border wire, with the nested individually pocketed free end coil springs as the bolster construction, the hog rings are novelly employed so as to encircle the knotted end coils of the border and also encircle the free end coil of each individually pocketed coil in the border row. The hog ring passes through the cloth of the envelope.

An important feature of the bolstered construction of the mattress is its cradle action. When the middle portion of the unit is compressed by the action of a person lying thereon, the side border rows remain higher than the middle portion of the unit and are drawn inwardly somewhat providinga cradle edge eiiect for the highly sensitive free end coil middle section of the mattress unit.

Y With the structure of the present invention,

the end sections and side border rows of knotted end coil springs are built up as a separate sub-assembly of knotted end coils firmly tied to- Y gether through their knotted end coils to form an outer rigid frame-like structure for the middle section of free end coils. The latter are assembled in strips of individual pockets as a separate sub-assembly and the strips laid in rows in the middle vacant portion of the frame-work of knotted end coils left open for the purpose or" being later filled in with the free end coils. The latter are arranged tightly against each other and against the surrounding framework of knotted end coil springs, so as to be suspended therein under compression of the surrounding frame work. They are also preferably tied to each other and to the surrounding framework. They may be tied by four way string ties in a manner conventional with prior other use of such pocketedY free end coils. Y

A valuable feature and advantage of the structure of the present invention lies in the provision of an inner spring unit adapted for forming with a preformed mattress envelope, a quilted or flat top inner spring mattress with individually pocketed free-end coil springs, preferably of the cylindrical type.

The unit of the present invention may be assembled on any present day standard machine.

In the particular form of the invention shown, and in all general forms thereof, the middle section of .an inner spring mattress consists of a series of pocketed coil springs lll having vstraight sides and enclosed in a cylindrical pocket il of fabric. The fabric itself is thin and fiexible and protects the spring. Y

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the free end coil springs lil in the intermediate area 32 are closely nested so as to abut each other at the periphery of their coils. While various forms of pocket or envelope construction for individualizing of the action of the coils in the area 32 may be employed, as shown and pre- 5, ferred, these coils are inserted in fully compressed condition seriatim into the spaces between the two cloth strips sewed together lengthwise at their bottoms= and sewed together crosswise at spaced intervals therealong. After the coils are inserted, then the tops of the strips are sewed together lengthwise. Thereafter the compressed coil springs iB are turned inside their pockets II so as to stand up, thus allowing the coils IIJ to expand but still remain under some compression in their individual pockets I I The strips Aof lled pockets Il are then run crosswise and, if desired, to and fro, to form the side by side rows of the intermediate area 32.

The spring coils of the respective sections 3l, 32, 33 extend from side to side of the mattress spring assembly 29 and preferably the coil springs II) of the intermediate section 32 are higher, as at 34, than those of the end areas 3l and 33, protruding above and below about one quarter of an inch. When the mattress unit 23 is placed on a bed or other base, then the middle area 32 rises and the end areas 3| and 355 subside ren sulting in the middle area 32 being about one half inch higher, producing a crown effect.

For a proper spacing of the coils in the assembly, the pockets I I of the free end coil springs l of the middle area 32 are, as is conventional with use of this type of spring, tied to each other, as by a four way tie at top and at the bottom. As shown, the adjacent peripheries of the free end coils of adjacent pockets are tied together by string or cord 23 extending between the transversely and longitudinally extending rows, the cord being tied in a knot 28 which passes through the cloth of the pockets II and around the adjacent end coils 35. rIlhese stringsor cords 23 do not detract measurably from the sensitivity and individual action of the individual free end coil springs Iii and may also be tied to the end sections 3l and 33, as shown in Figure l.

The borders about this rectangle and in line with the outside or periphery of the outer coil springs I0, are straight rods I3 and I5 fastened thereto by clips I4.

The rods I5 extend across the mattress and end over the side border pocketed coil springs IS and I1. The pocketed coil springs I6 and Il, are arranged longitudinally at the sides of the mattress. The pocketed coil springs IS and I'I are spaced from each other and held to the outside frame bars 20 running around the outside of the mattress at its top and bottom edges. The fastening to the frame of the coil springs i6 and il, is provided for by a suitable wire IS helically intertwined about the frame bar 2l) as indicated in Figure 5. The spacing of the pocketed coil springs It and Il from each other and from the longitudinal rods I3 is about half the diameter of these coils. All these pocketed coils are of the same diameter. Inside the frame bars 20, which are made continuous with their ends Welded together, are a series of rows of ldouble-cone like shaped coil springs is knotted at both ends. They are tied on opposite sides of their peripheries to rods 2| extending transversely across the mattress, by clips 22. These rods 2l, like the rods I5 are brought to the center of the coils I6 and Il and clipped to the peripheries of border springs 35 and are suspended thereon.

The border springs 35 are connected in a longin tudinal direction to the rods E5, 2i and the frame bars 20 and transversely to the frame 20 as indicated, in rows. There are spaces of 6, about the diameter of the coil springs I9 and 36 between each row, which leaves its row laterally free from the adjacent ones. The border coil springs 36 are secured to the frame bar 20 by the Wire helical I8 intertwined thereon. The springs i 9 and 36 are not sewed into pockets like the others. The longitudinal side border rows of pocketed springs It and Il andV the double-conesprings 36 along the same borders, are rmly bound by the helical intertwined wire I3. This provides a substantially rigid but re slient border longitudinally to the mattress, as well as acts in the nature of a suspension girder on which all the coil springs in the body of the mattress are indirectly secured.

The free end coil springs referred to are coil springs of which the end coil is not tied at its end to the rest of the spring by a knot; they are highly sensitive and very resilient, whereas knotted end coils are much more resistant to compression, being not easily deformed and not easily sensitive to compression after the `initial impression of weight.

In accordance with the present invention it has been found that this maximum support and greater sensitivity and resiliency for the middle section of the body is best provided for by means of free-end coils of the cylindrical type encased upstanding in individual cloth pockets, whereas the lesser support and lesser sensitivity and resiliency required for the upper head and lowerr limb extremities of the body is best provided for by means of knotted end coils springs, preferably of the double cone type having their knotted end coils nrmly tied to each other and bound together at the border by means of border ties into the form of a rigid unitary framework structure.

The rectangle 32 containing the pocketed coil springs i0, is pivotally attached to straight rods I3 and i5 and suspended from an adjoining row of conventional double cone springs IS and 3S extending longitudinally and transversely in spaced rows, the latter being pivotally attached to the end border frame bars 26. The pocketed springs I0 are also cross laced at the top and bottom by the cords 23 that tie in to the rods lil and I5 respectively. They are located at the point where the knots 28 fasten these springs together at their peripheries. This is to give them more resiliency. The pocketed springs are more compactly arranged than would be possible by use of springs having a rim diameter as large as that of the springs I9 and 35. The purpose of these pocketed springs at the longitudinal border and in the middle rectangular conformation is to provide a cradle action to the mattress for the individual using it. The stiffness of the borders by reason of their girder formation prevents the mattress from angularly bending downwardly sufficiently to cause the dumping of the individual from the mattress when the latter lies near the edge, as is the tendency with conventional types of mattresses. The rectangular arrangement of the pocketed springs It) at the middle provides sufficient still'- ness to prevent the heavier area 32 of the mattress portion of the body of the user at its center of gravity from causing an excessive longitudinal sagging of the mattress and thereby tending to bend his spine.

Transversely arranged rods I5 and 21| distribute depressions and dips throughout the coils comprised between the border coils 35 to which they are attached. Therefore, this arrangement Vunder the larger top or bottom turn of the latter, so that the helical Wire I8 can be fastened into them in a most eiective manner. The conical springs I9 and 36 are formed with a winding end portion 24 entwined about the wire of the last turns 38 and knotted thereto, which arrangement keeps them protected while at the same time allows a slipping of the other coils of the springs as they adjust themselves when in use. The term rectangle is intended in this specification to be broad enough to include other contours, such as ovals and otherwise, and not limited to the rectangular form indicated in the drawings.

In the modified form shown in Figure 10 the rods I 3 and 2l are eliminated with their clips 22, and in place thereof, a helically formed wire 30 is used in place thereof, and fastened to the various coil springs 39 as indicated. This is done by intertwining the wire 30 through the peripheral portions of the turns of the coil springs 3S they are aligned with. This fastening ar rangement is preferable where more flexibility in the mattress suspensionY is desirable.

In another embodiment, as shown in Figures 4, 6 and 9, the side border is bolstered by three stabilizers 3'! shown in the drawings, which are nested in between the knotted end coils of rows 36 at spaced intervals alongside of the Vmiddle section of the pocketed free end coils ii). These stabilizers comprise an intermediate coil 39 with two oppositely disposed obliquely extending legs d5 terminating in feet 41 which are fastened by the helical wires I8 to the upper and lower bo-rders 20. As above described these stabilizers function to provide a cradle edge construction as well as bolstering the unit in compensation for the absence of bracing across the top and bottom of the middle section 32.

While but three general forms of the invention are shown in the drawings and described in the specifications, it is not desired to limit this application for patent to these particular forms or in any other way otherwise than limited by the scope thereof, as it is appreciated that other forms could be made that would use the same vprinciples and come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is: Y

1.. A mattress spring structure comprising, a mattress inner-spring assembly composed of an inner section of upstanding coiled springs, and oppositely disposed side border rows of coiled springs on opposite sides of Vthe inner section, and in which the side border rows or" Vcoiled springs comprise a composite spring structure composed of knotted end double cone coil springs and bolster springs of another and different type interposed at spaced intervals along the border rows of knotted end double cone springs between the levels of the upper and lower terminal coils of the knotted end coil springs, forming a stiff edge construction for the assembly.

2. A mattress spring structure comprising, a mattress inner-spring assembly composed of an inner section of upstanding coiled springs, and oppositely disposed side border rows of coiled springs on opposite sides of the inner section, and in which the side border rows of coiled springs comprise a composite spring structure of a row of knotted end double cone coil springs and a row of individually pocketed free end coil springs encased in individual cloth pockets nested, one in between each two adjacent knotted end coil springs.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,067,193 Phelps July 8, 1913 1,441,709 Owen Jan. 9, 1923 

